UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has
called on the Italian government to drop the hard line it has
adopted on migrants amid a sharp increase in the number of
people landing in Italy after crossing the Mediterranean.
Türk commented on this week's decision by Premier Giorgia
Meloni's government to declare a State of Emergency over migrant
arrivals to make it easier to manage the situation.
"Any new policies under the State of Emergency need to be in
line with Italy's human rights obligations," Türk said.
The High Commissioner also "implored" Rome to abandon the decree
it passed earlier this year to regulate the activities of
NGO-run search-and-rescue ships in the Mediterranean.
Under the decree, NGO-run ships must immediately request the
authorities assign them a port of safety after making a rescue,
rather than staying at sea to help other people.
They risk big fines and the impoundment of the ships if they
fail to comply.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has said the NGO ships act
as a "pull" factor and encourage migrant-boat crossings.
Türk's statement said this "tough new law... restricts civilian
search and rescue operations" and said the government should
"refrain from criminalizing those involved in the provision of
life-saving assistance".
It also had praise for Italy though.
It "applauded the efforts of the Italian coastguard who have
rescued some 2,000 people since (last) Friday".
It said some 31,300 migrants have arrived in Italy so far in
2023, up from around 7,900 in the same period last year.
"Now is the time for solidarity with Italy and enhanced
cooperation to safeguard the protection of the human rights of
all people on the move," Türk said, calling on the EU Member
States to coordinate on migration governance.
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